Area businesses and organizations, bidding in a pair of auctions to benefit area FFA and 4-H youth, dug deep and contributed $382,351, much of which will end up paying for college educations.

That total represents $235,851 in the market sale livestock auction and $141,555 in the commercial heifer sale. Both those totals are records and the heifer sale is more than double the previous mark.

When you add in the $5,050 from the baked goods sale and $2,475 contributed to ag mechanics winners, the overall total climbs to $389,876.

“That’s just amazing and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this event such a success,” Billy Moreland, Rockdale Fair Association president, said.

Newest, and cutest, event was kids rodeo clown contest where (L-R) Kade Becker, Ellis Suits (first place) and Troy Montoya competed.
Reporter/Mike Brown “It’s a community that comes together to do something like this and we certainly had support from the entire Rockdale commu- nity,” he said. “And, of course, the tireless volunteers of the Rockdale Fair Association, and the area businesses who contributed so much made it happen.”

IT’S FALL—The 2013 Fair was notable in another way. It had “sure enough” fall weather unlike many previous events, which say the air-conditioned New Salem Clubhouse get lots of “stop and rest” visitors.

This time the air conditioning was outside. A series of cool fronts dropped temperatures into the 40s a couple of mornings and the 80-plus barbecue cookers kept aromatic fires going through the night.

“ It was fall weather for a change” Moreland said. “ We thought that was perfect for a fall fair.”

EVENTS—The familiar events were back for the 2013 Fair and there were a couple of new wrinkles.